What is the best route for a young bass-baritone to take starting his profession

Question:

What is the best route for a young bass-baritone to take starting his professional career?

I am a 24yr old bass-baritone, living in Mississippi, who is almost out of college. I'm thinking about sending audition tapes to young artist programs but I'm not sure if it's a good idea right now considering I'm a 'bambino.' I have plenty of musical theatre experience but only limited opera performance experience.
I hope to end up performing as a Wagnerian singer l8r in life but right now I'm not sure what the professional market is looking for in young bass-baritones.
Should I stick with musical theatre for now and gain more experience or should I audition for young artist programs as well? Or should I do something else different? What about getting an agent?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Your best bet is to move someplace that has an active arts community. Chicago or somewhere in the north east would be good. Most opera companies around the country come to New York and hold auditions, so if you are within easy travel of New York you will have the opportunity to sing for a lot of different people.

As far as young artist programs, go ahead and send those tapes. 24 might be a bit young, but it never hurts to get exposure, and hopefully feedback.

As far as "planning" on being a Wagnerian, that's not something you can plan. You will either have that type of voice or not. In all likelyhood... not. Since I have never heard you, I can't say you won't. For all I know, you could be this generations great Wotan, but the chances of that are rare.

Also, don't get your heart set on young artist programs. Too often people loose sight of other performance opportunities, because they are so focused on getting into Ryan Opera Center or the Lindemann program.

Best of luck.